Tony Oss is the Director of Pre Construction Services at Larson-Danielson Construction. His role within the company focuses on the behind-the-scenes planning and designing of new projects by working with clients, the Larson-Danielson team, as well as outside sources needed to complete the project.
“I help them navigate and work through the design process, procurement, permitting and all the other challenges that come up when you're putting together a construction project before the work actually starts in the field,” Oss said. “I start at the point where there's a napkin scratch. I help you get to the point where they can actually start moving dirt on your site.”
Oss graduated from Purdue University with an engineering degree and began working at Larson-Danielson Construction after graduation. He has since had the opportunity to experience working in many different roles within the company, so he understands the connections between positions on a deeper level than most employees.
“Over the years, my role has grown to the point where, because of the diverse set of skills that I was able to gain through various roles here at Larson-Danielson, I moved into this role of being able to help everyone collaborate on projects,” Oss said. “My job is to keep everyone moving forward on the same path and to get things done. What got me here is having the opportunity at Larson-Danielson to do a lot of different things.”
Oss explained that Larson-Danielson Construction works with businesses, schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and other organizations on projects. Each project the company works on is unique, which creates a diverse set of challenges to be dealt with on a daily basis. He revealed that overcoming these challenges is one of his favorite parts of the job, along with being able to look back on the projects he has contributed to.
“Every project is unique in its own way; every project has its own challenges, and that's always fun,” Oss said. “I was always drawn to construction simply because you can drive by and look at some things that you've accomplished over the years and say, ‘Hey, I was a part of that.’”
Oss lives in La Porte, where Larson-Danielson Construction is located, and explained how rewarding it is to be able to work on projects that community members get to utilize. He emphasized the feeling of accomplishment when he can contribute to projects that his kids get to use and they can experience the things that he has built.
“Places like Kesling Intermediate School and the Performing Arts Center at the high school probably are the coolest projects that I've been able to be involved in just because of how big of a part of my kids' lives they've become,” Oss said.
Oss has also been a youth football coach for a number of years, and now coaches some of the same boys at La Porte High School as an Assistant Coach. He explained it has always been a dream of his to do that and coach at the same school he graduated from, as well as on a field the company he works for built.
“It's particularly cool to be at Kiwanis field, where the football team plays. Larson-Danielson was fortunate enough to put the field in there back in 2014,” Oss said. “It's the same field I played on back in the 90s. It's fun to be an alumni coaching at your alma mater.”
For more information regarding Larson-Danielson Construction, visit ldconstruction.com.
